The Surprising Director Who Saved Mission: Impossible

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Even though the latest film likely wrapped up this year, the Mission: Impossible series will continue to influence filmmaking for a long time. What began as a subtle, suspenseful spy movie by Brian De Palma – which is interesting to revisit today – quickly became known for huge action sequences and Tom Cruise’s incredible, daring stunts.

Despite John Woo’s efforts to ramp up the action in 2002, Mission: Impossible II is generally considered the weakest film in the series, and the change in style was surprisingly abrupt. It’s notable that the director behind the most highly-regarded Mission: Impossible movie skillfully combined exciting action sequences with the suspense of a spy thriller.

Many fans consider the Mission: Impossible film directed by J.J. Abrams to be the most overlooked in the series. Abrams, known for his action work, surprisingly stepped in to revitalize the franchise before Christopher McQuarrie directed the later installments, essentially shaping Mission: Impossible into what it is today.

Mission: Impossible’s First 3 Movies Struggled Critically

The 1996 film Mission: Impossible currently has a 67% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is similar to how critics viewed it when it was first released. While some aspects haven’t held up over time, it’s now seen as a good example of ’90s action movies. When it first came out, it was largely considered a typical, popular action film, and the sequel didn’t improve its reputation.

Most fans agree that Mission: Impossible II is the weakest film in the series. Director John Woo’s signature style – lots of slow motion, martial arts, and gunfire – felt out of place in a spy thriller. The awkward romantic moments, constant use of masks, and over-the-top action sequences ultimately distract from the story.

After the second Mission: Impossible film underperformed, Mission: Impossible III revitalized the series, though it didn’t fully win over critics. The film featured a standout performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman as the villain, but its serious atmosphere was sometimes disrupted by the use of shaky camera work. Many fans still consider it the most overlooked film in the entire Mission: Impossible series.

I remember when Ghost Protocol was coming out in 2011, everyone was worried about the future of Mission: Impossible. It felt like just one more bad movie could have been the end of the line for the whole series, and they’d stop making them altogether. Thankfully, Brad Bird came in and directed what I think is one of the most fun and well-loved Mission: Impossible films – and it has what many consider to be the best action sequence in the entire franchise!

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Shifted The Franchise’s Focus

The first three Mission: Impossible films don’t easily fit into one neat category. The original 1996 movie is a tightly-wound, suspenseful spy thriller with a bit of a gritty edge. Mission: Impossible II is a loud, over-the-top action movie that really feels like it’s from the ’90s. And Mission: Impossible III is a darker, more cynical take on the action genre, but still keeps the focus on espionage and features a great heist.

But the following film, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, really hit its stride. It successfully combined incredible stunts with gripping spy action, essentially setting the standard for all the Mission: Impossible movies that followed.

Tom Cruise’s daring climb on the Burj Khalifa in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol really defined what the Mission: Impossible films became known for. The stunt was a major focus of the movie’s promotion, emphasizing that Cruise did it himself. After that, the films shifted from being straightforward spy thrillers to showcases for Cruise performing increasingly dangerous and impressive feats.

Beyond the action, Ghost Protocol shifted the overall feel of the series. While each Mission: Impossible film raises the stakes, they consistently include enough comedy to keep things light. The film also introduced a dynamic trio – Ethan Hunt, along with Benji Dunn and Luther Stickell – who would become central to the franchise and provide its emotional core.

Brad Bird’s Animation Focus Made His Success With Mission: Impossible Surprising

The fourth Mission: Impossible film, Ghost Protocol, was a turning point for the series, earning critical praise and potentially saving it from being canceled. This success is particularly interesting when you consider the director, Brad Bird, was best known for directing the beloved Pixar classics Ratatouille and The Incredibles.

As a huge animation fan, I always come back to Brad Bird’s The Iron Giant. It was his first feature film, and honestly, it’s a classic – many people consider it one of the greatest animated movies ever made. The Iron Giant himself is just an amazing sci-fi character, and his journey of figuring out who he is and what it means to be ‘human’ has really stuck with me – and I know it’s inspired a ton of filmmakers over the years.

Brad Bird gained acclaim directing animated films like The Incredibles and Ratatouille, then surprised audiences by transitioning to live-action with a successful reinvention of the Mission: Impossible series. His career is a prime example of an artist successfully branching out from their established style. Although his film Tomorrowland didn’t quite reach its full potential, Bird is returning to animation with a new project, following up his 2018 hit, Incredibles 2.

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2025-11-12 17:11